Adrian Proszenko

Juggling your interchange bench is a challenge for every NRL coach. Just ask John Lang.

But rarely does a clipboard holder get it wrong before kick-off. That's what happened with Ivan Cleary last night. His team sheet named Russell Packer as a starting prop yet Jeremy Latimore ran out in his place. This hot on the heels of copping a $3000 fine for keeping the Roosters waiting too long and a $2000 bill after trainer Ruben Wiki found himself in an on-field altercation. A third NRL breach notice is likely to head across the Tasman in the space of a week.

Manly's Joe Galuvao is tackled. Photo: Getty Images

Asked if it was a mistake on the teamsheet, Cleary offered: ''I don't know anything about it.''

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It was that sort of night for the visitors. Warriors centre Shaun Berrigan suffered a suspected broken left hand as their two-game winning streak came to an abrupt end.

Anthony Watmough returned to the Sea Eagles side following his wee indiscretion. The bustling back-rower did not let his teammates down again, ripping in for 106 metres and 16 tackles.

Anthony Watmough of the Sea Eagles celebrates with team mates after a try. Photo: Getty Images

''He was good,'' Manly coach Des Hasler said. ''He's doing everything he's required to do, he's effective with his carries. His 'd' has been strong and he's playing a bit more in the middle as well. He's hard to handle, his leg speed is always difficult to handle. I'm pleased with his progress. He's playing really consistent footy. That was one of his goals this year.''

But it was the Manly youngsters who made the difference against the Warriors. In particular Kieran Foran. The kid can kick, pass, tackle … in fact there is little he can't do. The Asquith Magpies junior has already tasted Test football for his native New Zealand, is mentored by Andrew Johns and may just combine with Benji Marshall in a Kiwi halves combination that will torment the Kangaroos for years. But the most amazing bit - his 21st birthday is still a couple of months away.

''It's every kid's dream to be coached by the greatest player ever to have played the game,'' Foran said of Johns. ''My brain just becomes a sponge every time I talk to him or listen to him. It's just a matter of soaking it up and working on it.''

Then there is William Hopoate. In what could have been a tricky night for the 18-year-old fullback - he was again custodian in the absence of the injured Brett Stewart - he handled the role with aplomb. And in Michael Oldfield, Jamie Buhrer and Daly Cherry-Evans, Hasler has at his disposal some of the best young talent in the NRL. All of them shone on a dark and gloomy night.

When it comes to dead tracks, the Doncaster had nothing on Brookvale Oval. The playing surface was a bog, making the kicking games even more important. Two contrasting kicks from Cherry-Evans best exemplified this. The Manly halfback gifted the Warriors good field possession when he punted the ball straight into the back of teammate Glenn Stewart. Warrior Lewis Brown burrowed over in the ensuing set of six. And then redemption. Cherry-Evans's pinpoint grubber five minutes later allowed Michael Oldfield to even up the ledger.